Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Who's on Enbrel

Hi Dan

I do not know about the side effects of Enbrel, and maybe the flashing has something to do with that drug, but I wanted to mention to you that this is something you might want to tell your physician or optometrist.

My husband had this happen to him (for an unrelated and then-undiagnosed eye problem) and it turned out that the flashing (like little fireworks when he closed his eyes) was the result of a partial detatchment of his retina. I am not a physician and hopefully this is not the case in your situation and and I certainly do not want to alarm you but in my husband's case, he prevented further visual problems by attending to the flashing.

Good luck.

Stephanie

HI Stephanie,
Thank you for posting this. I have an appointment with my opthamalogist this coming year. I will mention that to him. I hope it's not related.
Happy New Year, may the Lord be with you...

Dan

There are several rather large Enbrel threads in this forum, so I may as well add to the latest.

Just been dx'd with iritis. It presented differently, so I wasn't sure and had my eye checked. The eye doc thinks that the Enbrel may have contributed to it coming on so slowly. This is my first iritis attack since starting Enbrel. I've been under a lot of stress lately, worrying about my up-coming SS hearing, among other things. Almost every iritis or AS flare I have had in the past has been preceeded by stress. I'd eliminate stress from my life, but it's illegal to shoot doctors, legislators, judges, and other such-like critters. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Hugs,

Cindy

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Hi Cindy,
Well, I have had my 10th shot of Enbrel. So far so good. I usually get Iritis every year. So far nothing, I usually get it around Dec-Jan time frame. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. Shots are getting easier to take. I think I am getting the hang of it. Some get pretty bloody but most are pretty clean shots. I carry my Iritis medication with me everywhere i go. Doc told me as soon as I feel the pain/pressure and redness to start the drops and see him. Cindy just keep the predisone drops going and use the night oitment too!....My last one lasted only two weeks, compare to the three months before. Good luck.
Dan

I iam nto week three on Enbrel and I have noticed that I am more tired than usual. I think it is from the Enbrel and I wonder if anyone else had this and if it got better withtime or not. This is unfortunate as the pain level has reduced dramatically and I hate the thought of not taking Enbrel, but this fatigue is no fun either.

Harry
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Teilhard de Chardin

I was very hyper before being on Enbrel and BP medication. Not sure if these 2 slowed me down or that I have just grown up and slowed down. I needed to slow down.

Also, had mild depression when I first stated Enbrel. Now this really stopped me in my tracks. This passed...but I still think that when my BP gets real low, I feel fatigue and depressed.

This last week, I had to cut out my BP medication. Not sure if it was due to a stress free vacation or just another unexplainable chemical change in my body. I go back to work on Tuesday, Jan 7. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I've blamed Enbrel for the BP while it could just be work. hehehe

Betty

Hi Betty,

Enbrel is lowering your blood pressure?

Just curious. Also envious of your 1/7 return date for work.... I was back the day after Christmas.

Tim

"I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet" - Indian Proverb

Oops..did my post read wrong?

I was put on Vioxx Jan 2000. No side effects.
Feb of 2002, I started Enbrel.
Within 5 weeks, my BP went from 120/70 to 152/102.
Doc said that it could not be Enbrel and that it was the Vioxx.
He took me off Vioxx and I went on BP med.

When on the BP med, everything has been under control. If I skipped a pill, it went back up.
Now during x-mas vacation, the BP med caused my BP too low. (mid 90's / mid 50's).

I had always blamed the Enbrel and / Vioxx. Now I'm beginning to think that it is just work and unrelated to medication. I will monitor the BP the next few weeks to see if it really is work, my lifestyle (no sleep) or AS medication.


Betty

Hi Harry,
Hate to hear that. I am on my third month of Enbrel. I have not notice fatigue, though I had fatigue before using it. Only thing I feel, My eyes hurt. Like pressure inside them. But thats the only side effect I have experience with Enbrel. My fusion is still there and I notice more the pain of bones rubbing. Especially in my hips joints. Anyway, I hope Enbrel works for you. Maybe with time...
Dan

HI,
Funny, my bp has been low since 1995. I carry a 98/60 now compare to 120/70. I don't know why and the doctors don't know either. Sometime I feel like I am going to pass out. I know that my bp dropped lower. Since, I have been taking Enbrel I have felt a bit better. Ok...wish you the best in 2003.. Oh, sorry I didn't stop in Dallas, I passed through on Jan 6,. I am now back in Virginia. Maybe next time we all can meet.
Dan